Author explores spirituality introspection in debut novel

IN AN EVOCATIVE blend of spiritual introspection and thrilling narrative, author Shivani Bhugwandin recently launched her novel, The Last Pope: Book 1 - The Spiral Prophecy.

The novel, a dystopian sci-fi fantasy meta-fiction, was launched at the Colosseum at Britannia Hotel last week, and at the Umhlanga Apart Hotel on Sunday. 

Bhugwandin, 49, of Hillcrest, a high school English teacher at Curro Heritage House, said although she was a ghostwriter for many years, this was her first novel as a self-published author. 

“I have written over 200 manuscripts in most genres, both fiction and non-fiction. I also wrote a children’s book with one of my pupils as the illustrator, as a service offering, but it was not well-received by the organisation it was designed to serve. It remains as an e-book. However, I just didn’t have the courage to put myself out there, until now. 

“At the insistence of the head of culture at my school, I entered the annual Curro Create competition in the Write It category, along with two of my colleagues. I ended up winning a prize of six sessions with renowned writer, editor, writing coach, and prominent figure in literary circles, both locally and abroad, Karin Schimke. She encouraged me to expand my world-building and story into a long-form manuscript. 

“Upon creating the expanded story, I ended up outlining a five-part novella saga from the original short story. This is the first book in the series. It took about 10 weeks to write and another month to refine. However, I feel like this story was around 50 years in the making,” she said. 

Bhugwandin said the novel was inspired by the thematic depth of Canadian novelist and poet Margaret Atwood’s visionary dystopias and the intricate symbolism and theological intrigue of American writer Dan Brown’s thrillers.

“Like Atwood, I was drawn to exploring how institutional structures, particularly religious ones, can both shape and suffocate the human spirit when power overshadows purpose. Like Brown, I wanted to weave codes, symbols, and ancient mysteries into a modern spiritual quest.

“But beyond literary influences, this story is the culmination of my own decades-long spiritual search, a personal pilgrimage through faith, disillusionment, and awakening. It reflects my fascination with the interplay between mysticism and modernity, and the question that has haunted me for years: what would happen if humanity outsourced its relationship with the Divine to systems of control?

“This series is not an attack on Catholicism or any religion. Rather, it serves as a cautionary tale - a reminder of what can occur when sacred institutions lose sight of the sacred itself. It is also a call to action, urging readers to turn inward, to rediscover the divine resonance that lives within every human being." 

Bhugwandin added that the novel was both a thrilling narrative of spiritual resistance and a mirror held to the human condition.

“It dares readers to question the cost of obedience, the nature of divinity, and the power of inner resonance in an age where truth itself has been outlawed.”

Bhugwandin added that while some of the characters are based on personal experiences with individuals she encountered on her spiritual path, others are purely fictitious. 

“In several ways, this book expresses my internalised realisations about some of my life experiences.  The message of the book is a clear one. Those in positions of spiritual or political authority should guard against executing their duties in self-serving, egotistical ways or as a response to their personal fears and biases. Instead, the book calls on our shared humanity, compassion, and innate servant leadership abilities to push humanity to a new era of resonance and frequency.”

The mother of one added that her future plans were to complete writing the novel series. 

“I also have a few other ideas in the works.”

Bhugwandin is working in conjunction with MicroMega Publishers,her official book distributors. The book will be available through their website www.madeindurban.co.za

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